This story is based on people, places and events, mostly from my life. Most of the things in this story, or something very similar, have happened -- or been done -- to me. It's not necessary, but I strongly suggest that you read the previous chapters before you read this one.
I love feedback, comments, and criticism, good and bad; it helps me to improve my writing, and encourages me to continue writing. Also, take a moment and vote, your vote tells me how I'm doing.
Enjoy,
DaniSub
*
I think it was the smell of the coffee that woke me up. The room was softly lit by the morning sun lighting up the windows. I was alone in bed, but still snuggled up under the covers. I knew Keith was coming into the room with coffee, but I didn't move.
I'd come to look forward to our morning ritual; Keith bringing in coffee, talking and teasing each other, until it was time for me to get up and start the day. I finally got up and headed for the shower while Keith went to his office next to our bedroom and got a few things done while he waited for me.
This morning, I got to pick my own outfit, which told me he had nothing 'special' planned for me for today. It never turns out well for me when he picks out my clothes. I always wind up getting humiliated, teased or tortured, and sometimes all three.
We were on our way to the office in less than a half an hour. When we got in, Phil was waiting for us with croissants that were still warm from the bakery. He went up to the executive offices with us, and they went to Keith's office while I made coffee. When the coffee was ready I called them into the lunch room where we sat and had breakfast while we reviewed yesterday's events and planned what had to be done today.
Keith and Phil both agreed that the presentation to Mr. Wagner went extremely well. I knew they were talking about Mr. Wagner signing the contract with us - that was a done deal - and not my almost naked performance in the conference room; but, I blushed a little anyway. Besides, Jack Wagner's eyes were glued to my outrageously, although 'accidentally', displayed body; I don't think he heard a word Keith said at that meeting. And, the same goes for the men he brought with him.
Keith mentioned that I should call Joe Prescott, our company's attorney, as soon as the contracts arrived from Mr. Wagner's office. Joe and Phil were the only guys who worked for our company that were also members of Keith's uhm...club.
For some reason, I really liked Joe. Maybe it was because he had seen me naked, and being teased and tormented by Keith, but always treated me politely. Almost like the girl he saw in the office and the girl he watched dance on the pole were two different people. Of course, I could tell from the way he was looking at me in the conference room yesterday, that, if it were the proper circumstances, he would jump at the chance to have his way with me.
Keith also gave me a big blue booklet. He said it was the application for my security clearance and that I should try to get it completed by lunch so we could get it to the FBI. He wanted to get my security clearance approved as soon as possible so I could help get all the paperwork done and we could start production with Jack Wagner's people.
We finished breakfast and our impromptu meeting, and Phil went down to his office while Keith and I got to work. I returned some phone calls, replied to some emails, and checked the mail. Tina called and said she would come by and we could all have lunch together. Then, I turned to the FBI security application.
It started out easy; name, address, parent's names and addresses, grandparent's names and addresses and the same for every family member including aunts, uncles and cousins and so on. Then I needed to list all my schools and the dates I attended, the address of every place I ever lived and when I lived there, and every place I ever worked, when I worked there and the name of my supervisor. Then it got hard.
They wanted names, addresses and phone numbers of people I've know for five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years and twenty-five years. That sounds easy, but you have to remember; I was only nineteen at the time. I called Joe and he said to just list people I've known all my life, like friends of my parents and it will be fine.
Then they wanted me to list all (all was underlined, capitalized, and in bold letters) scars, marks, tattoos, birth marks, and piercings. They had a diagram of a body and you had to number the locations and then describe "in detail" each item. Fortunately, I have no tattoos, piercings, or scars and the two birthmarks I do have are pretty small and hard to notice. I mention this because it took me all morning to get this application done.
I just got done with the application and gave it to Keith when Tina arrived with lunch. We went to the lunchroom and I was telling her about how much detail they wanted on the application when Phil and Keith came in.
Keith listened to me finish telling Tina and said, "And they'll go over the whole thing again when they do their interview."
"What interview?" I asked.
"They'll send an agent, usually two; to sit with you and go over your whole application to be sure you didn't forget anything. Usually, during the interview, you remember something to add, or find a mistake in an address or something. I guess that's why they do the interview." he said opening his sandwich.
"When will they do that?" I asked getting a little worried. It wasn't that I had anything to hide, but, like most people, I've had almost no contact with any kind of law enforcement people. The thought of the FBI, of all people, examining my life was kind of scary.
"I'll try to get them to meet with you as soon as possible. I'd like to get your clearance approved within two weeks." he said. "It's nothing to worry about. Answer their questions as best you can, do whatever they ask, and you'll do fine."
I felt better, but there was still that nagging apprehension. After all, they were the FBI.
Keith turned to Phil and Tina, "The weather has been staying really warm for this time of year. Why don't you two come over tomorrow morning and we'll spend the day by the pool. We'll cook something on the grill and, if you like, you can spend the night and Sunday morning we'll go to brunch together."
Keith looked at me and I shook my head yes. I loved having Phil and Tina over. The guys always cooked on the grill; it meant less work for Tina and me. So, it was settled, they'd come over in the morning and spend the weekend.
We finished lunch, Tina left and we all went back to work. The signed contracts came. I gave them to Keith and called Joe. Joe came in and he and Keith went over everything line by line. I deflected calls for Keith, handling what I could, and taking messages for the rest, so they wouldn't be disturbed. It still took them until almost six o'clock to get finished, but the contracts were signed and we would be starting production in a month.
